3/1 To Win
Central defender Curtis Davies praised Derby County’s resilience and character following the 3-2 victory over Birmingham City at Pride Park Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Rams took the lead inside the opening 90 seconds of the game as Chris Martin netted his second goal in as many games to give Derby the perfect start.
Martyn Waghorn doubled the Rams’ lead at the start of the second half, however, two quickfire goals from the visitors got the Blues back level before the hour mark.
But with 15 minutes remaining, Jamie Paterson netted his first goal for the club - moments after Kelle Roos saved a penalty from Lukas Jutkiewicz to ensure the Rams recorded their first three points at Pride Park this season.
“We haven’t got three points since the beginning of the season, when we won at Huddersfield in the opening day, but we got three points here,” Davies told RamsTV. “To go into the game against a Birmingham side that has been up and down was tough.
“You know what they are going to give you. They are tough and physical and play direct so we had to be up for it. We started really well and got the goal early, weathered the storm in parts in the first half but still had chances to increase the lead.
“They started well in the second half, we nicked one and then it was a bit of capitulation if I’m honest.
“It was a set piece from a corner, we got done at the near post which is the area you shouldn’t get beaten in, and then with the second one the second ball fell to them and a man was free on the edge of the box and he put it in the top corner.
“After that, the walls started to crumble in on us. They got a penalty but it was a great save from Kelle Roos. Ultimately, that’s what gave us the lift to go on and win the game.
“It was a great finish by Jamie Paterson to win it, who similar to me and Chris Martin, has been chomping at the bit to get a game and luckily today we got it and we got the three points.”
The win was just what the doctor ordered following a tough week for the football club.
“We are not kidding ourselves, it would have been easy for the fans to be on us,” Davies admitted. “By getting an early goal, it became about football today.
“We got the early goal, it allowed the fans to settle down, us to settle down, and it was good stuff.
“We could have gone two or three up at times, but the longer the game goes on against teams like Birmingham who are tough and physical, they are going to get a chance.
“We got 2-0 up and then we let ourselves down. I don’t know if that’s a bit of character or fatigue, but the main thing is, we got back into the game and got the three points.”
